The document, jointly issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, is to regulate the use of public funding on receptions by local authorities to receive visiting Party or governmental officials.

Shark fins, bird nests and products of rare wild animals are popular materials in luxury dinners in China.

The regulation said cigarettes and up-market liquors are not allowed to be served at official dinners.

Moreover, officials below provincial level should not live in suite rooms on their business trips, it said.

Local hosts are also banned from giving cash, negotiable securities, souvenirs or local products as gifts for the officials.

According to the document, the new rules are to promote frugality, oppose extravagance and enhance the anti-corruption efforts among Party and governmental authorities.

BEIJING, July 30 (Xinhuanet) -- China is mulling a ban of sales of illegally-bred dogs to tighten regulations on the dog market, according to insiders.

Only certificated dog centers will be allowed to breed puppies, said Wang Wu, deputy director of China Animal Agriculture Association National Kennel Club, an official organization for dog aficionados. Full story